Jennifer Lopez Asked To Rejoin American Idol Judges — Report

Rumors were flying hot and heavy last week that American Idol 2013 producers had a secret plot to replace Mariah Carey with former judge Jennifer Lopez mid-season. The plan was reportedly the result of concern over the show’s failing ratings and Mariah’s lack of connection as a judge with the viewing audience.

Although the American Idol judges replacement rumor was firmly denied by everyone supposedly involved, it turns out there might have been a small kernel of truth in there somewhere. According to RadarOnline, Jennifer Lopez did indeed ask to rejoin the show — but she had no intention of replacing Mariah Carey in the middle of Season 12.

“J.LO had her manager Benny Medina approach FOX to alert them of her interest in rejoining Idol,” a source allegedly told RadarOnline. Mariah reportedly was interested in coming back to the show now so that she could spend more quality time with her five-year-old twins, Max and Emme.

Although J-Lo was interested in sitting at the American Idol judges’ table once again, the source insists there was no plot to replace Mariah this season. “If there was a ‘secret plot’ to replace Mariah, as has been suggested, then it was all FOX,” the source said. “JLO’s approach was about the future. Not the present. She’s talking about next season.”

Jennifer Lopez will return to American Idol for Season 12 — as a guest performer. She’s currently slated to appear on the American Idol finale on May 16 to debut her new single.

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